Can Robotic-Assisted Arthroplasty Change the High Early Revision Rate After Patello-femoral Arthroplasty? An Analysis From the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry.

Abstract

Patello-femoral arthroplasty (PFA) is considered a less invasive procedure with shorter rehabilitation when compared to total knee arthroplasty. Its use has been limited due to higher rates of complications and increased revision rate. The purpose of this study was to assess if robotic assistance reduced the risk of revision in PFA compared to when conventional techniques were used. Data from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry from 2015 until the end of 2022 was used to compare the cumulative percent revision of robotically and nonrobotically assisted PFA. We also investigated reasons for revision and types of revision. There were 669 robotic-assisted PFA and 1,481 nonrobotic-assisted PFA. The mean follow-up was 2.9 years for the robotic-assisted PFA and 3.6 years for the nonrobotic-assisted PFA. Cumulative percent revision at 6 years for the two groups was 12.7% for robotic-assisted and 11.6% for nonrobotic assistance with no significant difference (hazard ratio = 0.81 (95% confidence interval 0.53 to 1.24); P = 0.34). Our study did not find that robotic assistance for PFA improves early revision rates when compared to PFA without robotic assistance.